Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 20:

In page 25, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following subsection:

"(2) The Minister shall, within one month of the commencement of this section, report to the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection on the progress made in reducing social welfare appeals office waiting list.".

This is similar to the previous amendment. I would like the Minister to lay a progress report before the House on progress on reducing numbers, particularly given the growth of appeals from 15,000 in 2007 to 35,000 in 2010. The Minister has said he will bring back retired appeals officers and I am aware that both Fine Gael and the Labour Party have questioned the appropriateness of this. I regret that the Minister is not creating new jobs or providing new jobs to those who need them. The delay in dealing with appeals is 53 weeks for child benefit, 38 weeks for illness benefit, 30 weeks for farm assist and 34 weeks for the State pension. This is far too long to wait for an appeal and it is not fair or right. We spoke about valuing people and making this a person-centred service that would provide a good quality service. It is reprehensible that there is such a delay in the appeals process for so many people. This is a worthwhile amendment. We require a report on the progress being made with the reintroduction into the system of the retired appeals officers.